Students ready to rock hit parade

Students in Case Middle School's fall musical can be excused if they are rooting around in closets looking for their parents' old record albums to dust off.

They have discovered how cool that music is, according to Rebecca A. Rose, general music and choral teacher at the school.

Mrs. Rose selected "Destination Rock 'n' Roll" for the school's fall show, to be presented Friday and Saturday at the Watertown High School auditorium.

The musical, arranged by Mark Brymer and licensed by Hal Leonard Corp., is a rock 'n' roll hit parade that explores the cities, streets and neighborhoods where the music was born.

"I've been calling it a musical journey," Mrs. Rose said, noting that it covers the music of today and rock music back to the 1950s.

"They didn't realize how cool their parents' music was, because it's a different aspect of rock 'n' roll than what they are used to," said Mrs. Rose. 'They absolutely just love the different styles of music."

The show's official run time is about 30 minutes, but Mrs. Rose added her own touches and songs to lengthen it.

The musical also relies on a handful of dance scenes. Mrs. Rose said the three big numbers are Michael Jackson's "Thriller," "Swing the Mood," a swing and jitterbug selection; and the Bee Gees disco hit, "Stayin' Alive."

"The entire show is crafted by the kids' voices and movement," Mrs. Rose said.

Case Spanish teacher Jeri Grant is the choreographer for the show.

"She has brought magic to the kids," Mrs. Rose said. "The talent level is not like anything I've ever seen at this age."

The students will be dressed in period costumes, from poodle skirts to bell bottoms.

Mrs. Rose said she decided to go back to basics with "Destination Rock 'n' Roll" following last year's production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the school.

"We decided to go back to our roots," she said. "'Joseph' was so spectacular, I wanted to do a 180-degree turn. We wanted to go back to the idea that it's not just a few kids featured in roles."

Mrs. Rose said the musical's set is austere with no props.

"It's a stage and platform. The kids make the magic," she said.

As in the past few years, Mrs. Rose has the help of about 10 students at Watertown High School who volunteered to do stage direction.

"I have about ten right hands," she said.

Seven singers will be featured in solos throughout the show: Maria Bufalini, Taylor Burrows, Michael James, Alexandra Smith, Rachel Coon, Brittany Kaler and Meredith Griffin.

More than three dozen other singers will be featured in mini solos.

Besides Mrs. Rose and Ms. Grant, the musical's staff includes: costumes, Tina Petrillose; music director, Jason Comet; lighting, Tim Castilleja; sound, Phillip Towne; stage manager, Tara Petrillose; stage assistant, Mary Elizabeth LoPresti; and photographers, Bridgette Keenan and Nicholas Koepsell

'DESTINATION' DETAILS

WHAT: "Destination Rock 'n' Roll" by the Case Middle School music department.

WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Watertown High School auditorium.

COST: $5 for students and senior citizens and $7 for adults. Advance tickets are available at Pine Cleaners, 237 Franklin St.